Older Drivers: What does the law say?

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was involved in a road traffic accident on Thursday at Sandringham. He collided with another vehicle carrying three passengers, one of which was a nine month old baby.

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the accident, however many have expressed surprise that the Duke continues to drive himself at the age of 97.

According to the DVLA there are many older drivers on our roads. As at November 2018, there were 5.3 million over 70’s holding full driving licences in the UK. Of this, approximately 300 of them are over 100 years old! This may seem surprising to some, but what does the law say?

Under the terms of Section 99 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, your licence will automatically expire once you reach the age of 70. In order to review it you must complete a self-assessment stating you are medically fit to continue driving. You must then re-apply every three years. You must also tell the DVLA if you develop any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely.

If you have been involved in an accident, regardless of your age, we may be able to assist you. Contact our specialist team on 0333 222 1855

“Those unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident often find themselves dealing with challenging circumstances in the aftermath. I enjoy assisting clients through what can be a difficult time in their lives, helping them to resolve their issues and look positively to the future.”